Bright Blessings expands to meet growth

About 60 volunteers work at Bright Blessings to pack gift packages for underprivileged children’s birthdays as a part of Chick-Fil-A Waverly’s grand opening celebration in 2017. MMHW file photo

MATTHEWS – Bright Blessings has added a satellite office in Mooresville to serve northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell counties.

Bright Blessings has experienced rapid growth in its service numbers over the past couple of years, jumping from 8,921 children in 2017 to 14,353 in 2018. The organization has already served more than 13,000 children so far in 2019.

“Bright Blessings is thrilled with the opening of the satellite office in Lake Norman,” Executive Director Tisha Margraves said. “This will allow our capacity to continue to grow and serve additional children in areas we otherwise would not have been able to reach.”

Having a new “home base” for package distribution to areas north of the main office in Matthews will not only expedite the deliveries to those schools but will also allow the organization to grow its volunteer base.

The satellite office, located at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Mooresville, is equipped to host volunteer sessions for service groups and special occasion parties for those wanting a more hands-on experience.

Linda Morris will manage the new chapter.

“For many years I have been an admirer and supporter of the work of Bright Blessings and I am delighted that now, with the help of our local steering committee, and support from our community, we are able to provide these services to the children in our area,” Morris said. “We have felt so blessed to find volunteers and donors who agree with us and are eager to serve.”

The chapter’s goals are to raise community support through awareness; make connections with new volunteers, school counselors and corporate sponsors; and alleviate some of the drive time for Matthews-based volunteers delivering packages to schools in these northern areas.

Bright Blessings began in 2005 as a family-led monthly birthday program for a single homeless shelter in Charlotte. Today, the nonprofit serves homeless and impoverished children across five counties.

Want to learn more?

For more information about Bright Blessings, contact Heather Williams at 704-846-2329, heather@brightblessingsusa.org or www.brightblessingsusa.org. Email the new Lake Norman chapter of Bright Blessings please contact Linda Morris at linda@brightblessingsusa.org.